The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and International Labour Organization (ILO) hold the first regional training workshop on improving capacities of labour attachés and embassy officials working on labour migration governance in the IGAD region.
The five day workshop which began on Monday November 21, 2022 was organized to improve capacities of labour attachés and consular and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) officials assuming this function for IGAD Member States to improve labour migration governance and protection of migrant workers in the Middle East.
The training which had representatives of government of IGAD members, EU, and ILO is expected to improve the knowledge, understanding and skills of the participants to provide protection services for migrant workers and establish a professional network to share information and experiences in the future.
“In order to realize the full potential from the migrant workers; priority should be given to their empowerment and protection from the unfair practices and right abuses in the migration cycle,” said Nigussu Tilahun, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills of Ethiopia on his opening remark indicating that Ethiopia is gradually embarking on the process, in context where around 2 million youth are joining the labour market every year, which makes generating adequate employment opportunities in the country a challenge.
It is indicated that migrant workers contribution to the economic development of countries of origin and destination through their competencies, skills and experience is receiving growing recognition and the increasing migration flows to the Middle East is becoming an important source of remittances/ foreign currency for the IGAD member states.
“It is vital to enhance the capacities of Labour attachés of IGAD member states in the Middle East that are engaged in the labour migration governance to improve the working conditions and protection of migrant workers in the countries of destination,” said Fathia Alwan, the Director of Health and Social Development Division speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of IGAD Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD).